Juror #2

I saw this film at the premier in the TCL Chinese theater as the closing film of the AFI Film Festival of 2024. Nicholas Hoult stars as the titular character who is forced into a moral dilemma when he is chosen to be on a jury for a murder. The story is kind of a twist on the old Henry Fonda role in "12 Angry Men" of which I can't say more without creating a spoiler. Hoult's performance is more than adequate along with the rest of the stellar cast including Toni Collete as the prosecutor who is running for District Attorney, JK Simmons as Hoult's ally on the jury, Gabriel Basso as the defendant, and many others. The story and screenplay are involving with a few surprises although the inevitable conclusion is not. Eastwood's direction is solid as usual but not exceptional; however, given the constraints of the story I would say that it is more than fine. So, in summary this film is a 7/10, certainly not a 10/10 but not a 4/10 either (I reserve 4 and below ratings for films that are technically incompetent). Recommended if you can find it given Warner's lack of support for the film!

While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, a family man finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer. Prosecutor Faith Killebrew (Toni Colette) hopes to draw voters to her campaign for district attorney (DA) by highlighting her high-profile domestic violence conviction. A dissenting juror (Nicholas Hoult) in a murder trial slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it seemed in court presided by strict Judge Thelma Hollub (Amy Aquino) . As Juror #2 holds out with a verdict of not guilty, thus setting the stage for arguments and reasons why or why not the guy may be guilty . As he desperately seeks to convince his eleven peers (Leslie Bibb, Cedric Yarbrough, James Michael Sythe, Chikako Fukuyama, J. K. Simmons) to reconsider their conviction of a man (Gabriel Basso) framed of murdering . As 12 jurors are str uggling to decide the fate of a guy who allegedly killed his wife. Justice is blind !. Guilt sees everything !.

Middle-budget Clint Eastwood film about some jurors quick to condemn a man on trial for murdering his girlfiend before reviewing the evidence. Though the whole movie is mainly set in a courtroom and a jury room it never lacks for taut , suspense , intrigue and inspired direction . Eastwood, director of masterpieces such as Unforgiven, Mystic River or Million Dollar Baby, returns to his cinema of dark stories and ethical dilemmas in this closed-door courtroom thriller starring Nicholas Hoult (Skins), Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense, Hereditay) and J. K. Simmos (Whiplash). Here, Eastwood explores the differences between justice and truth, the complexity of ethics and impartiality.

The struggle behind closed doors is tense , charged and riveting. Jonathan Abrams's brilliant script was left virtually intact in its move to feature film. Courtroom drama too plenty of flaws, unlikely situations and unresolved ambiguities to be anywhere near the genre's best. However , being splendidly directed by Clint Eastwood with an extraordinary plethora of actors who give magnificent performances . The acting level of the cast during some of the intense discussions and debates almost bursts in the screen .

There's also a sensitive music by Mark Mancina. As well as as an evocative cinematography by Yves Bélanger, mainly shot in Savannah, where Eastwood previously filmed Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) . Despite the small streaming ans TV release the film (releasing only in USA 50 theaters despite strong test results) is due in the US it is nonetheless getting a wide theatrical release in many other countries. The motion picture was well directed by Clint Eastwood and is expected to retire after this movie. This film along with the filmed in the 2000s as ¨Cry Macho¨, ¨The Mule¨, ¨American Sniper¨, ¨Invictus ¨ , ¨Gran Torino¨, " Changeling" , ¨ Million dollars baby¨ , ¨Mystic river ¨ make that the dramatic force of this great director turns outs to be impressive , despite being over ninety years old . Juror #2(2024). 6.5/10. A notable Eastwood film, which honors his alleged cinematic farewell.

I doubt that this case would ever have gone to trial. The only "witness" supposedly saw the suspect during a dark night, through heavy rain, from a couple of hundred feet away, right? If this case did make it to the courtroom, any halfway decent defense attorney would've knocked down the supposed validity of that witness without much trouble. There's nothing else to go on. The suspect followed her? How far? No one knows, which means that's of no value at all. If she was hit by a car, any autopsy would have shown this to have been the case, i.e. She was hit hard by a very large object... in other words, a vehicle, rather than a hand-held object. In summary, the direction, the actors and the production are all fine, but the whole film is a house built on a foundation that has no strength.

To be short, it's not a masterpiece, but finally, they shoot a normal movie, where people behave like normal logical human beings, not like crazy people, illogical, or in an absolutely unreal situation that you will never imagine. Here you will see just people who behave most likely how the majority of us do. I would most likely do the same as the main character, which I definitely ain't going to say about 99% of other movies nowadays. It's probably a bit old-fashioned movie by the latest standards, but it's still how normal life is going on. I was pleased to see that movie and would recommend watching it if you like a good plot story. The actors' play is also quite solid as well, and there's not any bad personage even though it's a court-criminal story. Besides, what I also like about this movie, is it's not just the black and white story. It's a bit more complicated, but somehow everything is positive and nice in the movie.

This could have been so much more.

Reels you in, twists and turns of justice, morality and keeps you guessing, unfortunately it ends, without the ending expected.

I was very disappointed with the ending as it appeared to be taking another twist but just ends.

Hollywood and premature ending movies have to be the worst , however, it was enjoyable up to that. Bit of a slap in the face for such a lazy ending. This could have been so much more. It's a shame really.

The movie does have many qualities though and is worth a watch, it was fairly enjoyable, even intense at times and reels you in.

Give it a watch , enjoy.

Unfortunately could have been so much more.